Weekend Wakeup Call: Outer Loop Thru lanes to close

WASHINGTON – It’s projected to be another lovely weekend so try to stay out of your cars and definitely don’t plan on driving anywhere near the Wilson Bridge on the Outer Loop. The Wilson Bridge Project has coined these major road work periods as “Stay Away Weekends” and probably best to heed the advice. On the festive side, barbeque battles, beer fests and music abound around the area.

I-495 Wilson Bridge Project closure

The Capital Beltway’s Outer Loop THRU Lanes will close, and the LOCAL lanes will be reduced to one lane between Van Dorn Street and Telegraph Road, beginning 9 p.m. Friday and continuing through the weekend. Major delays are expected, and the Virginia Department of Transportation advises drivers to avoid this area through the weekend.

Beginning Monday, the Outer Loop the THRU lanes will reopen, but the LOCAL lanes will be reduced to one lane between the split and Telegraph Road. This will be a long-term configuration through the end of July.

Express Lanes Project closures

Crews continue with the Express Lanes project this weekend. Watch for closures on both loops of the Beltway at exit 50/Arlington Boulevard. Interstate 66 will see some lane closures as well. Here’s what you need to know:

On the Beltway Inner Loop, all lanes are scheduled to be blocked at Rt. 50/Arlington Boulevard from Friday at 9:30 p.m. until Saturday at 7 a.m.

On the Beltway Outer Loop, all lanes are scheduled to be blocked at Rt. 50/Arlington Boulevard from Saturday at 9:30 p.m. until Sunday at 9 a.m.

Westbound I-66 at the Beltway, 3 lanes will be blocked from 10 p.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Saturday. After midnight, all lanes are subject to temporary closures of 30 minutes.

The ramp from the Outer Loop of the Beltway I-495 to westbound I-66 will be closed as well.

Metro

The rebuilding efforts continue with work this weekend on the Orange, Red and Blue lines. All work will begin at 10 p.m. Friday and continue through system closing on Sunday. Be sure and allow extra travelling time on these lines.

Orange Line

Buses will replace Orange Line trains between East Falls Church and West Falls Church .

Orange Line trains will run in two sections: between Vienna and West Falls Church at regular weekend intervals, and between East Falls Church and New Carrollton at regular weekend intervals.

The last eastbound train will leave Vienna 20 minutes earlier than normal, at 2:05 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, and at 11:05 a.m. on Sunday night.

Red Line

Trains will single track between Judiciary Square and Rhode Island Avenue, and between Medical Center and Grosvenor. Between 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., additional trains will run between Medical Center and Judiciary Square, providing service every 10 minutes between those stations

Trains run every 20 minutes between Glenmont and Shady Grove throughout the weekend.

Blue Line

Trains will single track between Stadium-Armory and Addison Road . Blue Line trains will leave Largo Town Center and Franconia-Springfield every 20 minutes.

There is no work this weekend on the Yellow or Green lines but Green line station, Navy Yard, will close early, at 10 p.m. Saturday night for a security drill.

National Capitol Barbeque Battle

This annual competition takes place on Pennsylvania Ave NW between 9th and 14 streets. In addition to the great BBQ, 30 bands playing many styles of music will be featured. Admission is charged. Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Northern Virginia Summer Brewfest

Forty American Beers, live music and kids activities highlight this event taking place at Morven Park in Leesburg. There is an admission cost.

D.C. Caribbean Carnival

The festival this year has combined with others in Bladensburg and Baltimore and this weekend the annual “Pan Jam” will be held at Crossroads Entertainment Complex, 4103 Baltimore Ave. in Bladensburg. There is an admission. There will be a combined “Carnival” in July.

Montgomery County Heritage Days

Showcasing the county’s history with free music, dance, food and children’s activities at 30 historic sites throughout MoCo.